Activities

Established in 2008, UPR Info aims at raising awareness on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and providing capacity-building tools to the different actors of the process, such as United Nations Member States, NGOs, National Human Rights Institutions, and civil society, in general. It is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation based in Geneva, Switzerland.

UPR Info is in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

This programme focuses on ensuring the effective and meaningful participation of civil society in the UPR process. To this end, we reach out to civil society organisations (CSOs) through our newsletter, social media (Facebook and Twitter) and publications. We also strengthen those actors' involvement by providing them with trainings, tools (including the database, statistics, analyses and tutorials) and technical assistance. Finally, we ensure CSOs’ lasting engagement by liaising with them on a regular basis and keeping them informed about the entry points and deadlines for their participation.

We regularly organise meetings (called “Pre-sessions”) in Geneva, Switzerland, between CSOs and Permanent Missions to discuss the human rights situation of the States to be reviewed. The purpose of these pre-sessions is to save time and resources to CSOs and to enable them to meet several delegations at once. For delegations, these meetings offer the opportunity to receive first-hand information from CSOs about the human rights situation in the State under Review. All permanent missions, including the State under Review, are invited. Read more about our pre-sessions here.

Due to the primary role of States at the UPR, it is instrumental to the efficiency of the mechanism to ensure that States are well equipped to engage in the process. We regularly meet with States to provide technical expertise on the mechanism. We also hold seminars on the role of recommending States.

The mandate of UPR Info is to ensure that the UPR is an effective human rights mechanism to bring about change on the ground. As a consequence, we closely monitor reviews and follow the modalities in Geneva to ensure that the mechanism is a robust one. In that perspective, we regularly take the floor at the Human Rights Council to draw the attention of the international community to the evolution of practices and worrying patterns. UPR Info was particularly active during the revision of the work and modalities of the Human Rights Council in 2010-2011.

Statements at the Human Rights Council

General debate under item 6, 24 September 2018:

Statement emphasizing on the necessary inclusion and engagement of all domestic stakeholders to support the implementation of UPR recommendations; on the importance of national mechanism of reporting and follow-up and human rights action plans; as well as on indispensable role of of trias politica to prevent and respond to human rights violations.

General debate under item 6, 29 June 2018:

Statement emphasizing the importance of sufficient budget, national institutions, and the role of tria politica to ensure the effectiveness of the UPR; on the progress reporting and clear positions of the States; and expresssed concerns over the acts of reprisal and intimidation against human rights defenders.

General debate under item 6, 22 September 2014:

Statement sharing the results of a new study by UPR Info: 48% of recommendations produce results on the ground at mid-term.

General debate under item 6, 24 June 2014:

Statement commending States for the increase in the number of mid-term reports being published.

General debate under item 6, 21 March 2014:

Statement, on behalf of 19 ONGs, regretting the lack of specificity of UPR recommendations.

General debate under item 6, 23 September 2013:

Statement to support the letter issued by the Human Rights Council President clarifying the format of UPR Working Group reports.

General debate under item 6, 10 June 2013:

Statement, on behalf of 77 NGOs, on the format of the Working Group report.

General debate under item 6, 15 March 2013:

Statement, delivered jointly with the International Service for Human Rights, on the non-cooperation of States with the UPR.

General debate under item 6, 21 September 2012:

Statement, delivered jointly with Conectas Direitos Humanos and Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, on the negotiations of recommendations among States at the UPR.

General debate under item 6, 29 June 2012:

Statement on the failure by "Recommending States" to follow-up on their own recommendations during the second cycle.

Our Regional Office in Africa supports all stakeholders in their engagement with the UPR.